Most Discussed

Verizon iPhone may come this summer as 3G/4G hybrid

updated 04:25 pm EDT, Fri May 7, 2010

by MacNN Staff

Odd rumors point to early Verizon iPhone with LTE

An unusual rumor this afternoon has a Verizon-ready iPhone shipping in the summer. Multiple Verizon staffers and other sources claim the CDMA iPhone would not only be ready in the summer but that it could be a launch device for the availability of Verizon's 4G network. While questionable, the Engadget details are billed as "surprisingly specific."

It would most likely be a hybrid phone with both 4G as well as CDMA and 3G if real, as Verizon doesn't plan to cover more than 25 to 30 cities with LTE on launch.

The launch of such a phone would contradict some of the both rumored and official statements surrounding both 4G and a Verizon iPhone. The most credible rumor for a CDMA iPhone so far has put production in the fall, and the first known LTE phone to be shipping would be a Samsung device for Metro PCS in the same season. Leaks of the iPhone so far have only shown what should be a regular GSM version.

Verizon itself has pushed back the full-scale deployment of its 4G to fall this year and has said it doesn't realistically anticipate its first 4G smartphone until early 2011. LTE chipsets so far consume a relatively large amount of space and power, and current implementations only handle data. Voice over LTE hasn't been finalized as a standard.

If at all real, the Verizon iPhone is likely to have a disruptive effect on other phones. HTC's Droid Incredible has had the luxury of a relatively unimpeded lead in Verizon's lineup and would face competition even from a phone without 4G. One with LTE would be severely damaging to Sprint, whose HTC Evo 4G is being marketed as the first 4G phone in the US.

TAGS

TOTAL_COMMENTS Comments

why are folks to quick to believe that there will be a CDMA iphone in the US when China, which has like 10 times the CDMA market, didn't get one. IF this is about money wouldn't it make sense they would go after such a huge market

I really hope this is NOT true, as always. Apple has done so good at keeping crappy CDMA away, why ruin it now. More people have GSM iPhones in the US then ever before. Stick with GSM until LTE comes out, if you need to switch (and you do, at&t is an evil money hungry monopoly that absolutely hates the idea of a customer not being under contract), go to T-Mobile. There much better and the iPhone works on T-Mobile as long as it's unlocked.

apple and at&t have a 5 year agreement, do the math. it's shocking how little research these analysts do, actually no it's not they're manipulating stock prices. there will be no cdma phone in the united states until 2012.

I really hope this is NOT true, as always. Apple has done so good at keeping crappy CDMA away, why ruin it now.

"Crappy" CDMA? What exactly is crappy about CDMA? Or is it just that, since the iPhone doesn't use it currently, it must be bad?

Stick with GSM until LTE comes out, if you need to switch (and you do, at&t is an evil money hungry monopoly that absolutely hates the idea of a customer not being under contract), go to T-Mobile. There much better and the iPhone works on T-Mobile as long as it's unlocked.

First, you can't get an unlocked phone in the US. So you have to do it yourself.

Second, if you go T-Mobile, you're using their 2G data network, since their 3G network isn't compatible with the iPhone.

Third, if you have to go 2G, why not CDMA?

And, finally, fourth: CDMA might be crappy, but you don't continually hear about all the dropped calls with Droid on Verizon. But making jokes about the iPhone's inability to actually make phone calls has gone mainstream (from John Stewart and Colbert to Letterman).

But I guess having people hear and believe that the iPhone is a lousy phone is OK, just because of the 'great' GSM network Apple has tied themselves to.

Remember, it was revealed that Apple when to Verizon FIRST, and Verizon passed on them.
If the reason was because Apple had a plan, and Verizon did not want to stick to it (no telescoping antenna, no Verizon emblem on the front, Verizon media store yes, iTunes no). Then despite the weaker infrastructure of ATT, I am glad that the iPhone experience was maintained. Maybe when the exclusive details is up (in 2012, yes I did the math), Verizon will play it Apple's way and not insist on making the iPhone a Verizon experience. This whole CDMA-GSM argument might not be the whole point.

Login Here

Now AAPL Stock: 113.95 ( + 1.83 )

Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit

Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj

Share

Developer163d

Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket

The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]

Share

163d

Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera

Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94

Share

Industry163d

Apple employees testing wheelchair features

New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa

Share

Troubleshooting163d

SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards

SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If

Share

Upgrades/storage163d

Apple's third-quarter results due July 26

Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm

Share

Investor164d

Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users

Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE